Crash Bars...yay or nah?

[mrhedges]

Now that my bike is running should I put crash bars/ highway pegs on it? Does that make it easier to pick up if you drop it?

[Charlie G]

Use something.

[Phred]

If you don't, and you drop the bike you will quickly find out why they are a useful accessory. The bars with 3 mounting points bars are much better as they will not easily bend in a crash, potentially trapping your feet between the pavement and a hot engine. Highway pegs... it is a matter of preference. Personally I don't like them.... too much like a Harley.

[Burque73]

Those bars have saved both sides of my engine. Dropped it three times and only a broken blinker lens and scratched guards. They're worth having!

[BigD_83]

I like the IDEA of crash bars, but like everyone else says, it is worth it to spend the time to source ones with three-point mounts.

The ones I have on my 550 look good, match the frame, are period correct, but are only two-point mounts. There is always a lingering thought that it is a weak point in the system, but it doesn't stop me from having them on there until I can find something with which I can replace them. Definitely worth having.

[tom203]

I got a 3 point mount on clutch case side, but a 2 point on stator side. I don't expect them to save me at speed ,but they do prevent needless damage if you get silly getting on or off.

[Burque73]

Now that my bike is running should I put crash bars/ highway pegs on it? Does that make it easier to pick up if you drop it?

I dont think having them makes it any easier to pick up if dropped. Highway pegs may be nice to have, never tried them before. I have to stand up before a stop to make sure my legs still work, especially in winter. Frozen knees don't straighten out very quickly.

[mrhedges]

Ok... cool maybe I'll source some on ye ole' bay. Does any have any idea about interchangeability? or should I just find ones for a '81 gs850g ?

[Burque73]

Ok... cool maybe I'll source some on ye ole' bay. Does any have any idea about interchangeability? or should I just find ones for a '81 gs850g ?

81 or 82? Your sig says 82 maybe theyre the same but I'm not sure.

[Burque73]

I just checked a set from my 81 parts bike and they do not fit on an 83. If that helps any. Incidentally, if you need 81's I've got em.

Three point mount type.

[azr]

Be very careful when buying guards, they are one of the most specific things to buy for bikes. They have to be exact to the year and model, they are really best tried on before purchasing.

[Dogma]

The 3-point bars on my 1000G have been through two low-sides, one with a mighty long slide. That last time, they probably saved the ignition bits and maybe the end of the crank; not just the ignition cover. Well, they're not on it anymore. They were dented and ground down too far to bend back into shape to re-use.

A few folks worry about giving up cornering clearance, but if you're leaning the bike that far on the street, you're doing at least two things wrong.

I don't care for foot pegs up there, but you may like it for eating up the miles on the highway. The pegs I've seen on them would have knocked a hole in the case covers in my wrecks, though.

[robinelwood]

I had a 650L which I dropped on the street, not running. (don't ask) Leetle piece of gravel made enough of a ding in the stator cover that it dripped a little oil forever after. (Or until I put an ugly glop of JB weld on it.) After that, I put 3-point bars on every bike. Won't do nothin in a crash..but around the yard, they're golden.

[Buffalo Bill]

The 3-point bars on my 1000G have been through two low-sides, one with a mighty long slide. That last time, they probably saved the ignition bits and maybe the end of the crank; not just the ignition cover. Well, they're not on it anymore. They were dented and ground down too far to bend back into shape to re-use.

A few folks worry about giving up cornering clearance, but if you're leaning the bike that far on the street, you're doing at least two things wrong.

I don't care for foot pegs up there, but you may like it for eating up the miles on the highway. The pegs I've seen on them would have knocked a hole in the case covers in my wrecks, though.

If you do want some back on your bike, you should consider repairing those with improvements.
A nice creative project, not so big that it would eat up too much time.

[Dogma]

If you do want some back on your bike, you should consider repairing those with improvements.
A nice creative project, not so big that it would eat up too much time.

Are you suggesting training wheels?

I have replacement parts on hand, waiting for the last piece of starter clutch before I finish putting it back together